Steinau an der Strasse
Spessart Tours
Produced by : 
© 2025
Produced by : © 2025
Steinau an der Strasse is our third stop on our journey through the Spessart. This small town is home to two aspects of the past that continue to have an impact today:
One is the fact that the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm spent their youth here and consider this place their home, even though they were born in Hanau.
The other aspect – and this is also still clearly visible today in the city's streets and buildings – is its economic and transport history.
The name affix an der Strasse is of great importance, because it refers to the trade route from Frankfurt to Leipzig, one of the main trade routes from the 16th to the 18th century. The Steinau of that time was the service area on a medieval highway. At the time, Steinau had a capacity of parking spaces for up to 30 vehicles. Inns like the historic Weisses Ross had barns and stables at the back, which can still be seen.
We go in search of clues and immediately come across references to the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. It is no coincidence that the main street that runs through the old town is called Brothers Grimm Street. Hesse's most famous siblings spent part of their childhood here. Mr. Grimm was appointed to the position of district officer here and to this day, the Museum Brüder Grimm Haus in Steinau keeps their stories alive in the memory.
And then we take the time to explore the narrow streets and alleys on foot. We come across the Stadtborn, which used to be the only water supply within... and at... the city wall, which could not be dug up or poisoned.
After reading up on Steinau's most famous citizens, we continue our discovery tour and immediately come across the Burgmannenhaus, which is now a hotel with a “Wilde Speisekammer” restaurant.
Brüder-Grimm-Strasse is our compass. We leave the castle and town hall on our right and quickly reach the 16th-century Alte Apotheke (old pharmacy), which is now the Literary Café Old Pharmacy with completely different rooms, lovingly designed with great attention to detail. With some excellent homemade cake and coffee, you can browse books (!) and discuss whatever comes to your mind.
The Old Winery no longer exists. It was the seat of the manorial cellar, the economic administration. From 1796 to 1805, the widow of the bailiff Philipp Wilhelm Grimm lived here and today a new half-timbered house stands on the same site.
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